GRAND UNION - Birmingham

'The Bothy' is a permanent, outdoor installation in the Minerva Apothecary Garden on the Grand Union Canal side. 'The Bothy' is intended as a place for people to use for shelter and rest, made by British-Barbadian artist Alberta Whittle, as part of her long-term artist project with Grand Union entitled 'Congregation: Creating Dangerously'. Using the model of a Scottish bothy – which provides temporary shelter and is free for anyone to use – the artist, Birmingham-based Women's organisations, and MJM Bespoke have designed a structure referencing a Barbadian Chattel House in the area connecting the Grand Union Canal to the Minerva Apothecary Garden. Within our approach to mutual care is the importance of respite as a framework for support. This public sculpture will be designed to be spacious enough to hold ten people at a time, with intentional viewing spots of the sky and land. These subtle design features will support an acknowledgement towards understanding how natural resources can contribute to healing communities.